Instrument-panel mounting



Jan. 14, 1930. c. w. McKlNLEY INSTRUMENT PANEL MOUNTING Filed Nov. 14. 1927 Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES W. MCKINLEY, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO A C SPARK PLUG- COM- PANY, OF FIJINT, MICHIGAN, A. COMPANY OF MICHIGAN i INSTRUMENT-PAN EL MOUNTING Application filed November 14, 1927.) Serial No. 233,181.

This invention relatesto an instrument panel and more particularly to a panel of the type ordinarily mounted on the dashboard of an automotive vehicle.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved instrument panel mounting which can be more cheaply manufactured and more'readily and easily assembled than those now 1n use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front view.

Figure2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1.

- Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views illustrating modified forms of my invention.

Referring to the drawing, I have illustrated a part of a dashboard or instrument board of an automotive vehicle which comprises a comparatively thin strip 10 provided with an aperture shaped to lit the periphery of the bezel'12. The bezel in the present case is made up in half sections from cold rolled stock and may be one of a variety of shapes in section, as will appear from a comparison ofFigures 2, 3 and 4. The bezel is shown as shaped on its inner side to provide a peripheral slot within which is adapted to fit the instrument supporting plate or panel 14,

which is provided with apertures 16 which may be of any suitable shape, size and arrangement, depending on the character of the instruments mounted thereon. While the instruments may be fastened to the panel in any desired manner the described construction being such as to assureV the retention of said panel in said bezel so long as the latter remains in the aperture `in strip 10, or its equivalent, I have illustrated the instruments 18 as fitting againstthe panel from the rear side and held thereon by means including a U-shaped clamping or compression element 20. This may be fixed to the strip 10 by means of screws 22 welded or otherwise fixed thereto, said U-shaped element being preferably secured to the panel 14 by means such as a tension screw 24 fixed to the rear side of the panel. The instruments 18 are shown as held in place by set screws 24 threaded in the clamp 2O and provided with Winged heads 26; and it will be seen that removal of the bezel 12 from the aperture in strip l0 (as permitted by a backingp of the nut shown upon the end of the Screw 24) permits a direct removal of the panel 14 from the slots in the sections comprising bezel 12, and an incidental disassembly of all mentioned parts.

I claim:

l. In an instrument supporting assembly, a supporting strip provided with an aperture, a bezel fitting in said aperture and provided with a peripheral shoulder on one side and a peripheral slot on the other, an apertured instrument panel supported in said slot, and means for holding said panel and bezel against displacement from said supporting strip, mentioned parts assuring the retention of said panel in said slot so long as said bezel remains in said aperture and otherwise permitting direct separation thereof.

2. In an instrument supporting assembly, a supporting strip provided with an aperture, a bezel fitting in said aperture and provided with a peripheral shoulder on one side and a peripheral slot on the other, said bezel being formed in a plurality of sections, an apertured instrument panel supported in said slot, and means for holding said panel and bezel against displacement from said supporting strip.

3. In an instrument supporting assembly; a strip provided with an aperture; a panel;

a sectional panel-receiving bezel whose section of said panel by said hazel so long as the latter is held Within said aperture; and means for so holding said bezel.

4. An instrument-supporting assembly as defined in claim 3, in which said holding means includes a substantially U-shaped compression element engaging said strip and a tension element connecting said panel and said U-shaped element.

In testimon whereof I ailix my signature.

HARLES W. MGKINLEY. 

